Keyonte George’s Star Ascension

[KqWIN]

IMO an underrated factor in Keyonte's offensive leap is that he's simply in the best shape of his life. Stronger, more explosive, with much better endurance. It's harder to get him off balance, and he gets more elevation on his jumpers.

I think he's one of those dudes who are naturally extremely athletic, but also have a tendency to quickly put on some weight if they don't watch what they eat. Surprisingly many guys like that in the league.

In another world Keyonte is that fat guy who can inexplicably do backflips.

 

[default]

Its turned into a great year for Keyonte.

 

[rippimpc]

Is keyonte better than peak Hayward?

 

[seattlejazzfan]

Is keyonte better than peak Hayward?

yes. and arguably better than peak utah donovan, boozer, and possibly deron too. we're getting to a point with Key where - IF he can sustain it which is a big if - the only players who were clearly better are dantley, stockton, markkanen and malone.

hard to compare guys like AK and Rudy who were elite of the elite defensively. at their peak probably > key.

 

[HermanG]

Crazy fact.

2023 Joel Embiid won MVP
2023 draft Wemby was the #1 overall pick and one of all time great prospects

Imagine someone saying back then that this would be reality midway through 2025-26 season:

 

[Udidthizz]

Keyonte has somehow improved his already insane rim % to 72.3.

His touch off the glass is top notch. He uses all of that backboard to drop his layups softly over tall defenders.

 

[Udidthizz]

yes. and arguably better than peak utah donovan, boozer, and possibly deron too. we're getting to a point with Key where - IF he can sustain it which is a big if - the only players who were clearly better are dantley, stockton, markkanen and malone.

hard to compare guys like AK and Rudy who were elite of the elite defensively. at their peak probably > key.

At the moment I don’t see why it wouldn’t be sustainable. He’s not just on some hot streak from 3 or something but consistently scoring from all three levels. He looks like he can get the shot he wants almost all the time.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

At the moment I don’t see why it wouldn’t be sustainable. He’s not just on some hot streak from 3 or something but consistently scoring from all three levels. He looks like he can get the shot he wants almost all the time.

The unsustainability would come from the Jazz becoming good and teams overall taking them more seriously

 

[seattlejazzfan]

At the moment I don’t see why it wouldn’t be sustainable. He’s not just on some hot streak from 3 or something but consistently scoring from all three levels. He looks like he can get the shot he wants almost all the time.

this is just me and perhaps not wanting to get my hopes too high, i think it's just extremely difficult for small guards 6'3/6'4" and shorter to sustain both productivity and efficiency at a high level. the ones that can sustain, a 61/62%+ TS while averaging 25 ppg are unicorns. Steph, Lillard. That's the list.

Maxey, Mitchell, Brunson, Murray, Kyrie, etc - they haven't been able to do it. That's how special it is, what Key is doing right now.

 

[fishonjazz]

this is just me and perhaps not wanting to get my hopes too high, i think it's just extremely difficult for small guards 6'3/6'4" and shorter to sustain both productivity and efficiency at a high level. the ones that can sustain, a 61/62%+ TS while averaging 25 ppg are unicorns. Steph, Lillard. That's the list.

Maxey, Mitchell, Brunson, Murray, Kyrie, etc - they haven't been able to do it. That's how special it is, what Key is doing right now.

Good post

 

[KqWIN]

The difference on defense is so substantial between Key and Hayward to say he’s surpassed him.

I don’t have too many questions about Key sustaining this, the bigger question for me is if he can push it to an even higher level. But any time there’s a huge jump I think it’s fair to question if it’s sustainable. Next year will answer a lot of these questions. Playing in a real, non-tanking environment will help clarify a lot of things.

 

[framer]

yes. and arguably better than peak utah donovan, boozer, and possibly deron too. we're getting to a point with Key where - IF he can sustain it which is a big if - the only players who were clearly better are dantley, stockton, markkanen and malone.

hard to compare guys like AK and Rudy who were elite of the elite defensively. at their peak probably > key.

Pistol Pete was pretty good as well.